Which bacteria produce exotoxins that can cause severe dehydration and diarrhea?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Vibrio cholerae. This bacterium produces cholera toxin, an exotoxin that causes severe dehydration and diarrhea by increasing the secretion of electrolytes and water in the intestines. Vibrio cholerae is the causative agent of cholera, a disease characterized by profuse watery diarrhea. Choice B, Clostridium tetani, produces tetanospasmin causing tetanus, not dehydration or diarrhea. Choice C, Escherichia coli, can cause diarrhea but rarely severe dehydration. Choice D, Shigella dysenteriae, produces Shiga toxin leading to bloody diarrhea, not severe dehydration.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Blue pus bacillus. Pseudomonas genus includes bacteria that commonly cause diseases in plants. Blue pus bacillus is a common name for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a well-known bacterium that causes diseases in medicinal plants. Explanation: 1. Blue pus bacillus (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) is a member of the Pseudomonas genus known for causing diseases in plants. 2. Colon bacillus (Escherichia coli) belongs to the Enterobacteriaceae family, not the Pseudomonas genus. 3. Proteus is a genus of the Enterobacteriaceae family, not Pseudomonas. 4. Mycoplasma is a genus of bacteria that lack a cell wall and are not related to the Pseudomonas genus. In summary, the correct answer is A because it is a member of the Pseudomonas genus known for causing diseases in medicinal plants, while

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Rationale: The correct answer is A: Syphilis. Spiral microorganisms with pointed ends are characteristic of Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis. This bacterium is known for its corkscrew shape. Other choices are incorrect because Leptospirosis, Lyme disease, and Relapsing fever are caused by different pathogens and do not exhibit spiral microorganisms on blood smears. Syphilis should be suspected in the presence of these specific spiral microorganisms.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Neisser's staining. Neisser's staining is used to detect metachromatic granules in bacteria, which appear as dark blue-staining granules at the ends of rod-shaped bacteria in diphtheria. This technique specifically targets these granules, making it ideal for identifying Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the causative agent of diphtheria. Ziehl-Neelsen staining is used for acid-fast bacteria like Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Gram staining is for classifying bacteria based on cell wall composition, and Giemsa staining is used for detecting parasites and certain blood cells, making them incorrect for identifying granules in diphtheria.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Staphylococcus aureus. This bacterium is commonly associated with hospital-acquired infections due to its ability to cause a wide range of infections and its resistance to multiple antibiotics. Staphylococcus aureus can cause skin infections, pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and surgical site infections, making it a significant threat in healthcare settings. Escherichia coli (choice A) is more commonly associated with foodborne illnesses. Clostridium difficile (choice B) is known for causing antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Bacillus anthracis (choice D) is primarily associated with anthrax infections, which are not typically acquired in hospital settings.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The most likely causative agent in this case is Staphylococcus epidermidis. This conclusion can be drawn based on the characteristics provided: Gram-positive cocci in clusters, catalase-positive, and coagulase-negative. Staphylococcus epidermidis fits all these criteria. Explanation of other choices: - Staphylococcus aureus: Typically coagulase-positive, so it does not match the characteristics given. - Streptococcus pyogenes: Gram-positive cocci in chains, not clusters. Also, it is catalase-negative. - Enterococcus faecalis: Gram-positive cocci in pairs or chains, not clusters. Additionally, it is catalase-negative. Therefore, Staphylococcus epidermidis is the most likely causative agent based on the provided characteristics.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step 1: Bordetella pertussis is the causative agent of whooping cough, also known as pertussis. Step 2: This bacterium produces toxins that damage the respiratory tract, leading to severe coughing fits. Step 3: Clostridium tetani causes tetanus, Haemophilus influenzae causes respiratory infections, and Staphylococcus aureus causes skin infections. Step 4: Therefore, A is the correct answer as it is the only bacterium directly associated with whooping cough.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Exanthematous rash. Erythema infectiosum, also known as fifth disease, is characterized by a distinctive rash on the cheeks that looks like a "slapped cheek." This rash then spreads to the rest of the body, resulting in a lace-like rash (exanthem). Swelling of salivary glands (choice A) is not a typical symptom of erythema infectiosum. Diarrhea (choice B) and hepatitis (choice C) are also not associated with this condition. Therefore, the most characteristic clinical symptom of erythema infectiosum is the exanthematous rash.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: interferes with protein synthesis. Cephalosporins are beta-lactam antibiotics that work by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis, not protein synthesis. They are bactericidal and have a relatively broad spectrum of activity against various bacteria. Choice A, B, and C all describe characteristics of cephalosporins, making them incorrect options.